The second Skipjack (SSN-585) was laid down on
29 May 1956 by General Dynamios Corp., Electric Boat
Division, Groton, Conn., launched on 26 May 1958,
sponsored by Mrs. George H. Mahon, wife of the
United States Representative from the 19th District
of Texas; and commissioned on 15 April 1959, Comdr.
W.W. Behrens, Jr., in command.

Skipjack was the prototype which mated nuclear
power with an Albacore hull. During her shakedown
cruise in August 1959, she became the first nuclear
ship to pass through the Straits of Gibraltar and op
erate in the Mediterranean Sea. Following post-shake
down availability at Groton, Conn., the nuclear sub
marine conducted type training and participated in an
advanced Atlantic submarine exercise from May
through July 1960. The remainder of the year was spent
in a restricted yard availability and upkeep.

Skipjack commenced her 1961 operations by partici
pating in two weeks of type training followed by anti
submarine warfare exercises through August, visiting
Mayport, Fla., before returning to Groton.

In January 1962, Skipjack operated out of Key West,
Fla., for two weeks before entering Portsmouth (N.H.)
Naval Shipyard for extensive overhaul, lasting four
and one-half months. Following her return to New Lon
don, Conn., the submarine operated locally prior to de
parting in October for duty in the Mediterranean with
the 6th Fleet. During this tour, Skipjack participated
in various fleet and NATO exercises and visited Toulon,
France; and La Spezia and Naples, Italy, before re
turning to New London.

The year 1963 was occupied in submarine attack op
erations and ASW exercises, all designed to test the
capabilities of the nuclear-powered attack submarine.
The highlight of 1964 was two months of duty with
NATO forces, participating in exercises "Master
stroke" and "Teamwork" and visiting Le Havre, France,
and Portland, England, before returning to New Lon
don in October.

After devoting most of 1965 to training exercises, the
submarine ended the year by entering Charleston (S.C.)
Naval Shipyard for an overhaul that lasted until 18
October 1966. Skipjack then got underway for sea trials
off Charleston, before joining Shark (SSN-591) for
four days of type training in the Jacksonville, Fla., area.
She then sailed to her new home pork, Norfolk, Va.,
before participating in Atlantic Fleet exercises.

Early in February 1967, Skipjack got underway for
sonar and weapon tests and then participated in At-
lantic submarine exercises from March through June.
July and August were spent in restricted availability
at the Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co.
following which Skipjack took part in FIXWEX G-67,
an exercise designed to evaluate fixed wing ASW air
craft against a submarine with Skipjack's characteris
tics. Following an extended deployment in October and
November, the submarine returned to Norfolk to prepare
for major operations of that year which she completed
on 25 February 1968. The remainder of 1968 was spent
in local operations in the Norfolk area.

On 9 April 1969, Skipiack commenced an overhaul in
the Norfolk Naval Shipyard which was completed in the fall of 1970. After
sea trials in December 1970,
Skipjack returned to her regular duties.

Highlights of 1971 were sound trials and weapons
system tests at the Atlantic Fleet Range, Puerto Rico,
from 25 January through 5 March and NATO exer
cise "Royal Night" from 15 September to 9 October.
On 22 October, Skipjack returned to Norfolk, where
she remained through January 1972.

Skipjack spent most of 1972 in tests and type train-
ing out of New London and Norfolk and in the Carib-
bean. The submarine returned to Norfolk late in the
year and remained in the area into 1974.